Page 11 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

She rolls her eyes. “That nickname gets annoying. Sounds like those tubes of lip stuff you lose in your pocket.”

A laugh escapes me just as Noelle steps up to the table, and I can’t help but notice how she leans a little too close, her hand brushing near my arm. "Here you are. Anything else I can get you?" she asks, her tone suggesting more than just food.

I don’t even look up at her, still caught in the moment, my shoulders shaking with a chuckle. Carmen, though, shoots a quick glare in Noelle’s direction, then smiles sweetly. "We’re good, thanks," she says, turning her attention back to me.

As soon as Noelle is gone, Carmen narrows her eyes. “What the hell is so funny?”

“Just never thought of your perspective of the nickname,” I say with a wink, then lean forward and pick my drink up. “Quite the imagination.”

We fall silent, simply staring at each other, and I fidget in my seat as I try to think of what we could talk about. Being like this with her isn’t something I ever thought I’d be doing, not without my bandmates by my side. It’s not that it feels wrong, it feels entirely too right.

Carmen clears her throat, her muscles coiled tight under my arm. “Guess we should talk strategy, huh?”

Not exactly what I had in mind for our first date.Fake date, I correct myself quickly.

“Well,” I drawl, leaning in closer, “first thing is getting you to loosen up a bit more.”

She eyes me, then lets out a low growl that does things to me I’d rather not think about. “I don’t understand how you do it.”

I arch an eyebrow, fighting a smirk. “Do what, exactly?”

“Act all calm,” she gestures at me, frustration evident in every movement. “Like this isn’t a completely insane situation.”

If only she knew hownotcalm I actually am. How much I’m fighting the urge to pull her closer, to steal a sweet taste of her lips.

“You could’ve said no,” I mumble. There’s a tiny pang in my chest at her words, but I try not to let them get to me too much.

In her eyes, this is likely the worst situation to be in, considering I’m her client. No one else would think so, but I’m sure it’s her own personal code not to get caught up in a relationship with any of us. The guys have long since shrugged off any workplace romance.

She sighs and her shoulder slump in defeat. “I didn’t mean it like that. You’re right, I’m the one who agreed. Still doesn’t change how calm you are about it all.”

“No sense in getting worked up over something that’s only going to last a few days,” I say.

Sitting across from her, my gaze catches on the ring adorning her finger as it rests on the table. The sight makes my chest tighten, the intimacy of our one-on-one moment suddenly palpable.

It’s more than what I’m saying, but she doesn’t need to know that.

Things will go back to normal in no time, like this charade never happened at all.

The thought should comfort me, but instead, it leaves a hollow feeling in my chest. I push it aside, focusing on the warmth of Carmen's presence beside me.

5

Carmen

As soon as Istep through the double doors at the back of our charity concert venue, there's a commotion, and I come to a sudden halt.

Panic races through me at the sight of Brent, Jace, and Evan in Donny’s face with their nostrils flaring. Meanwhile, Mia is standing between all of them with a hard glare focused on the leader of the group. “Want to knock some sense into someone, or do I have to do it for you?”

Brent’s cheeks are red, fists clenched tightly at his sides, and he glares at Donny once more before backing down and clearing his throat. “Alright, guys, get off his back.”

“What the hell is going on?” I ask, straightening my spine.

Jace whirls around, a finger pointed at me, and storms over with a scowl. “The better question is what do you think you’re doing?” Before I can ask what he’s talking about, he reaches out and grabs my left hand so that everyone around us can see what’s resting there.

My heart races and I blink, then glance over his shoulder at Donny with a frown. I thought that we’d have time to tell everyone what’s going on, but it looks like Donny beat me to it. I rip my hand free from Jace’s hold and narrow my eyes at him.

"It's a free country," I snap, my heart racing. "My romantic life is none of your concern."

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